Category Archives: Regency personalities

Regency Celebrity: James Harvey D’Egville, English Dancer and Choreorgrapher

James Harvey D’Egville (ca. 1770 – ca. 1836) was an English dancer and choreographer. James’ father Pierre D’Egville was ballet master at Drury Lane and Sadler’s Wells Theatres. His other son George D’Egville was also a dancer. James D’Egville performed … Continue reading

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Regency Celebrity: John Philip Kemble, a Great Exponent of Shakespearean Roles

John Philip Kemble (1 February 1757 – 26 February 1823) was an English actor. He was born into a theatrical family as the eldest son of Roger Kemble, actor-manager of a touring troupe. His elder sister Sarah Siddons achieved fame … Continue reading

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Early Regency Celebrities: Sarah Siddons, the Best-Known Tragedienne of the 18th Century

Sarah Siddons (5 July 1755 – 8 June 1831) was a Welsh actress, the best-known tragedienne of the 18th century. She was the elder sister of John Philip Kemble, Charles Kemble, Stephen Kemble, Ann Hatton and Elizabeth Whitlock, and the … Continue reading

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Regency Celebrities: Edmund Kean, the Era’s Greatest Actor

Edmund Kean (4 November 1787 – 15 May 1833) was an English actor, regarded in his time as the greatest ever. Early Life Kean was born in Westminster, London. His father was probably Edmund Kean, an architect’s clerk, and his … Continue reading

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Regency Happenings: Henry Bell and the PS Comet, the First Commercially Successful Steamboat Service in Europe

The paddle steamer PS Comet was built for Henry Bell, hotel and baths owner in Helensburgh. With the steamer, Bell began a passenger service on 15 August 1812 on the River Clyde between Glasgow and Greenock; it was the first … Continue reading

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Regency Celebrities: Henry Bell, Pioneer in the Development of the Steamship

Henry Bell (7 April, 1767 – 14 March, 1830) was a Scottish engineer who is famed for introducing the first successful passenger steamboat service in Europe. Early Career Bell was born at Torphichen, near Bathgate, West Lothian in 1767 and … Continue reading

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Regency Scandal: Princess Charlotte’s Indiscretions

In the spring of 1812, George IV’s attempted to pique his daughter’s, Princess Charlotte of Wales, interest in William of Orange. The move would have strengthened England’s alliance with the Netherlands. Orange had lived in exile in England and had … Continue reading

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Regency Happenings: The Founding of The Royal Doulton Company

The Royal Doulton Company was an English company producing tableware and collectables, dating from 1815. Operating originally in London, its reputation grew in The Potteries, where it was a latecomer compared to Royal Crown Derby, Royal Worcester, Wedgwood, Spode and … Continue reading

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Regency Celebrity: William John Napier, 9th Lord Napier, Royal Navy Officer

William John Napier, 9th Lord Napier (Chinese: 律勞卑; 1786 – 11 October 1834) was a Royal Navy officer, politician and diplomat. Early Life He was the son of Francis Napier, 8th Lord Napier (1758–1823) and the father of Francis Napier, … Continue reading

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During the Reign of George IV: The Shrigley Abduction, a Well-Developed Scheme to Marry an Heiress

The Shrigley abduction was an 1826 British case of a forced marriage by Edward Gibbon Wakefield to the 15-year-old heiress Ellen Turner of Pott Shrigley. The couple were married in Gretna Green, Scotland, and travelled to Calais before Turner’s father … Continue reading

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